War in the Bible

Divine approval of

2 Samuel 22:35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

⇒Definition of war

Civil

Judges 12:1-6 And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire. 2 And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands. 3 And when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in my hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into my hand: wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against me? 4 Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites. ...
Also Judges 20; 2 Samuel 2:12-31; 3:1; 20; 1 Kings 14:30; 16:21; Isaiah 19:2.

⇒"War" Bible Outline

Forbidden

2 Chronicles 11:4 Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.

Averted

Joshua 22:11-34 And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel. 12 And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them. 13 And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, 14 And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel. ...

Enemy harangued by the general of the opposing side

2 Kings 18:19-36 And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest? 20 Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? 21 Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him. 22 But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem? ...
Also 2 Chronicles 13:4-12.

Of extermination

Numbers 31:7-17 And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males. 8 And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword. 9 And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods. 10 And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire. ...
Also Deuteronomy 2:33-34; 3:6; 20:13-18; Joshua 6:21,24; 8:24-25; 10:2-40; 11:11-23; 1 Samuel 15:3-9; 27:8-11.

God in

Exodus 14:13-14 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Also Deuteronomy 1:30; 3:21-22; 7:17-24; 20:1,4; 31:6-8,23; 32:29-30; Joshua 1:1,5-7,9; Judges 1:2; 6:16; 7:9; 11:29; 1 Samuel 17:45-47; 19:5; 30:7-8; 2 Samuel 5:22-24; 22:18; 1 Kings 20:28; Psalm 18:34; 76:3; Jeremiah 46:15; Amos 5:8-9; Zechariah 10:5.

God uses, as a judgment

Exodus 23:24 Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.
Also Leviticus 26:17,31-39; Deuteronomy 28:25-68; 32:30; Judges 2:14; 2 Kings 15:37; 1 Chronicles 5:22,26; 21:12; 2 Chronicles 15:6; 12:1-12; 24:23-24; 33:11; 36; Job 19:29; Psalm 44:9-16; 60:1-3; 105:25; Isaiah 5:1-8,25-30; 9:8-12; 13:3-4,9; 19:2; 34:2-6; 43:28; 45:7; Jeremiah 12:7,12; 46:15-17,21; 47:6-7; 48:10; 49:5; 50:25; Ezekiel 23:22-25; Amos 3:6; 4:11; Zephaniah 1:7-18; Zechariah 8:10; 14:2.

Repugnant to God

1 Chronicles 22:8-9 But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. 9 Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.
Also Psalm 68:30; 120:6-7; Revelation 13:10.

God sends panic in

Exodus 15:14-16 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. 15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. 16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

Threatens defeat in

Deuteronomy 32:25 The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.
Also 1 Samuel 2:10; 2 Chronicles 18:12-16; Isaiah 30:15-17; Ezekiel 15:6-8; 21:9-17.

Inflicts defeat in

Joshua 7:12-13 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. 13 Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
Also 2 Chronicles 12:5-8; 24:23-24; Psalm 76:3; 78:66; 79:10; Isaiah 5:25; Jeremiah 46:15-16.

Counsels of

Joshua 22:10-34 And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to. 11 And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel. 12 And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them. 13 And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, ...
Also Judges 7:10-11; 2 Samuel 16:20; 17:1-15; Psalm 48:4-7; Proverbs 11:14; 20:18.

Wisdom required in

Proverbs 21:22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Also Proverbs 24:6; Ecclesiastes 9:14-18; Luke 14:31-32.

Tumult of

Amos 2:2 But I will send a fire upon Moab, and it shall devour the palaces of Kerioth: and Moab shall die with tumult, with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet:

Killed in, neglected

Isaiah 14:19 But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.
Also Isaiah 18:6.

Evils of

2 Samuel 2:26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
Also Psalm 46:8; 79:1-3; 137:9; Isaiah 3:5,25-26; 5:29-30; 6:11-12; 9:5,19-21; 13:15-16; 15; 16:9-10; 18:6; 19:2-16; 32:13-14; 33:8-9; 34:7-15; Jeremiah 4:19-31; 5:16-17; 6:24-26; 7:33-34; 8:16-17; 9:10-21; 10:20; 13:14; 14:18; 15:8-9; 19:7-9; 25:33; 46:3-12; 47:3; 48:28,33; 51:30-58; Lamentations 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; Ezekiel 33:27; 39:17-19; Hosea 10:14; 13:16; Joel 2:2-10; Amos 1:13; 6:9-10; 8:3; Nahum 2:10; 3:3,10; Zechariah 14:2; Luke 21:20-26; Revelation 19:17-18.

To cease

Psalm 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Also Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3.

Wars and rumors of

Matthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Also Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9.

See ARMIES

See ARMS

See FORT

See SOLDIERS

See STRATEGY

See TOWER

See WATCHMAN

FIGURATIVE

Warfare of saints

Is not after the flesh

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

Is a good warfare

1 Timothy 1:18-19 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

Called the good fight of faith

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Is against

The Devil

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Also 2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 1:12; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:17.

The flesh

Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Also 1 Corinthians 9:25-27; 2 Corinthians 12:7; Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11.

Enemies

Psalm 38:19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
Also Psalm 56:2; 59:3.

The world

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Also 1 John 5:4-5.

Death

1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
Also Hebrews 2:14-15.

Often arises from the opposition of friends or relatives

Micah 7:6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.
Also Matthew 10:35-36.

To be carried on

Under Christ, as our Captain

Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Under the Lord's banner

Psalm 60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

With faith

1 Timothy 1:18-19 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

With a good conscience

1 Timothy 1:18-19 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

With steadfastness in the faith

1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Also 1 Peter 5:9; Hebrews 10:23.

With earnestness

Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

With watchfulness

1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Also 1 Peter 5:8.

With sobriety

1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Also 1 Peter 5:8.

With endurance of hardness

2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Also 2 Timothy 2:10.

With self-denial

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

With confidence in God

Psalm 27:1-3 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

With prayer

Psalm 35:1-3 Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. 2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. 3 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
Also Ephesians 6:18.

Without earthly entanglements

2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Mere professors do not maintain

Jeremiah 9:3 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.

Saints are all engaged in

Philippians 1:30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Must stand firm in

Ephesians 6:13-14 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Exhorted to diligence in

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Also Jude 3.

Encouraged in

Isaiah 41:11-12 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. 12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.
Also Isaiah 51:12; Micah 7:8; 1 John 4:4.

Helped by God in

Psalm 118:13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
Also Isaiah 41:13-14.

Protected by God in

Psalm 140:7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

Comforted by God in

2 Corinthians 7:5-6 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. 6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

Strengthened by God in

Psalm 20:2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
Also Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 41:10.

Strengthened by Christ in

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Also 2 Timothy 4:17.

Delivered by Christ in

2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Thank God for victory in

Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Also 1 Corinthians 15:57.

Armor for

The belt of truth

Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

The breastplate of righteousness

Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

The preparation of the gospel

Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

The shield of faith

Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

The helmet of salvation

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Also 1 Thessalonians 5:8.

The sword of the Spirit

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Called "the armor of God,"

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Called "the armor of righteousness,"

2 Corinthians 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

Called "the armor of light,"

Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Not carnal

2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Mighty through God

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

The whole, is required

Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Must be put on

Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Also Ephesians 6:11.

To be on the right hand and left, an idiom meaning: "to attack and to defend."

2 Corinthians 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

Victory in, is from God

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Also 2 Corinthians 2:14.

Through Christ

Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Also 1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Revelation 12:11.

By faith

Hebrews 11:33-37 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: ...
Also 1 John 5:4-5.

Over the Devil

Romans 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Also 1 John 2:14.

Over the flesh

Romans 7:24-25 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Also Galatians 5:24.

Over the world

1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Over all that exalts itself

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Over death and the grave

Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
Also Isaiah 26:19; Hosea 13:14; 1 Corinthians 15:54-55.

Triumphant

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Also 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Those who overcome in, will eat of the hidden manna

Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Eat from the Tree of Life

Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Be clothed in white clothing

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Be pillars in the temple of God

Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Sit with Christ on his throne

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Have a white stone, and in it a new name written

Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Have power over the nations

Revelation 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Have the name of God written upon them by Christ

Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Have God as their God

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Have the Morning Star

Revelation 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.

Inherit all things

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Be confessed by Christ in the presence of God the Father

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Be sons of God

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Not be hurt by the Second Death

Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Not have their names blotted out of the Book of Life

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Symbolized by a red horse

Revelation 6:4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

IN HEAVEN

SYMBOLICAL

Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,